Local Gem: A Few Fine Chinese Eateries Now Offering Delivery

Compared to large well-known brands and chain restaurants, diverse and unique local gems are easy to overlook when on the hunt for good waimai, but they're just as crucial to keeping the economy of the city running -- and bellies filled -- to say the least.

While the pandemic and related restrictions have hit a great many of these locations hard, one "positive" result is that a number of fan favorite local gems that used to be dine-in only have now started offering delivery services. Thus, while you might still have to wait awhile until a table becomes available at some of these spots, enjoying their food from the comfort of your own home is the next best option.

Here are three worth checking out.

蘇飯 Sufan

This private kitchen, located in 3.3 Plaza just north of Taikooli, is known for its homestyle Suzhou cuisine and its tiny space. It can be a real challenge to find a restaurant in Beijing that can fit less than 10 people, and folks who want to dine here have to wait for at least an hour to get a seat. But now that they're offering delivery, the distance between you and their signature “Better Than the Crab”, is only a phone call away.

The restaurant has yet to do any collaboration with any big waimai apps, so you need to call the number listed on Dianping or add the restaurant on WeChat to order. The menu and the price are the same as dining in, and you can get your meal either by picking it up in front of the 3.3 Plaza or using Shansong or Paotui, which will charge extra depending on your location and the time the order is placed.

Recommended dishes: 赛螃蟹 Better Than the Crab, 红烧肉 Red Braised Pork Belly
Contacts: 13651211150 (both cell phone number and Wechat ID)

鳥萬 Yakitori One

Got late night skewer cravings? Yakitori One is there to give your gluttinous soul reprieve. Though you won’t be able to see the chefs preparing the yakitori over hot charcoal right in front of you, their juicy skewed meat and the slightly smoky fragrance will still come to you instead and satiate your deepest savage desire even if it's already past midnight.

To save you time while perusing all the options this yakitori joint offers, they've made a few combo sets that are a steal, with some on offer for 30 percent off.

They use shansong for delivery primarily to ensure the food arrives at your place in the best condition. However, if you are fond of organs, such as the chicken liver or ovaries, then you may have to cope with the fact that those are not available on the delivery menu due to that travel will alter their texture and flavor drastically. Raise your soju or whiskey glass, toast to yakitori, and toast to a brighter future when we can dine in again.

Recommended dishes: 烧鸟套餐 Yakitori combos
Contacts: 17701212916 (both cell phone number and Wechat ID)

小红炉 Little Red Pot

Need food that can feed more than a typical family of three? Or simply miss the zesty sour soup fish in the slowly climbing heat? Little Red Pot is still your go-to place for authentic Guizhou delicacies even if you can’t visit them in the flesh yet. Their sour soup fish, deep-fried pork belly, and the "fishy grass" (if that’s what you love) will ride on the waimai guy’s e-bike and dash to your door in no time.

Upon request, they can also prepare ready-to-cook hot pot in case you want to fine-tune the flavor or prefer your fish fresh out of the pot.

Recommended dish: 酸汤鱼火锅 Sour Soup Fish Hot Pot, 手工豆花 Handmade Soft Bean Curd, 酸菜炒汤圆 Sweet Dumplings Stir-fried with Pickles
Contacts: 65529919 (landline), 13522606840 (both cell phone number and Wechat ID)

READ: Daily Delivery Tour: Hot Dog Day

Images: Hitesh Dewasi (via Unsplash), Zeus Zou